[theo kawala]

Rio Ferdinand has hit back at critics who claim Wayne Rooney is in a slump.

Rooney's England form has been under scrutiny because his goals have dried up in the last two years.

The Manchester United striker has scored only twice in more than two years for his country and has not found the net in a competitive international since Euro 2004.

He is still waiting for his first England goal in 2006 but it has been a year disrupted by injury and suspension.

Club-mate Ferdinand, 27, said: "He's had an interrupted season but people make more of a meal of it because it's Wayne Rooney.

"He brings a lot more to the team than just goals.

"He can set up scoring opportunities and his work-rate is up there with the best of them.

"If he's not scoring goals there are still not many defenders who like playing against him.

"For people to cast so much doubt on Wayne is far-fetched in my eyes.

"He set himself the highest standards that can be set for a young lad and he has to attain them every time he goes out on a football pitch.

"But there's been a situation surrounding him with bans and injuries which means he hasn't been able to play a certain amount of games.

"In time you will see the standard he's set himself but I don't even think he's been playing poorly."

Rooney, 20, has only made five appearances for England this year and four of those were at the World Cup, where he lacked match sharpness after breaking a foot.

He will play his first game under new boss Steve McClaren against FYR Macedonia on Saturday.

His United team-mate Ferdinand said: "He's definitely improving fitness-wise and getting stronger in the latter parts of games.

"The Benfica game was a good one for him because he played out of position with defensive responsibilities and he did what was asked of him, running back.

"In the following games he showed a bit more sharpness.

"Against Newcastle he had a couple of 'ifs-and-buts' chances he might have scored but he was getting the opportunities.

"It's been a steady improvement. The goals will come but Wayne offers other things.

"He puts players through on goal and attracts players to him because of his quality and gives other people spaces.

"He might not be scoring sometimes but he's doing a lot of other things."

McClaren is expected to pair Rooney in attack with Peter Crouch, who has scored 11 goals in his last 10 England games.

Ferdinand said: "On paper it could be a fantastic partnership.

"Wayne could come off him and drop in. Crouchy could stay up there at the top of the pitch and, if we get the ball in the box, there's not many better finishers around at the moment than Crouchy. Especially in an England shirt."

[Worksop_Owl]

just out of form a bit. give him till afta the england games then he will be amazing.

[Joe]

There is no doubting that he has the talent and recently he has did very little to help his team. Against Arsenal and Celtic he was anonymous but I fully expect him to burst to life very soon.

[Matt the Thrasher]

Does anyone think Rooney could be the new Norman Whiteside , brilliant at 17 finished by 25?

[theo kawala]

he is just not in form after a few games he will come back and score goals he will burst into life.

[waynelyp90]

agree with it. He will surely be back, maybe after the Macedonia game. And you guys will see him bombarding oppositions again.

[theo kawala]

i think he will score against croatia